That had never occurred to her because in her life she hadn’t been shown a great deal of love and compassion.
Except in this magical little village.
“No,” she whispered.
He used his hands on her jaw to tip her face so her lips were against his and he muttered, “We’ll have to work on that.”
For a split second, her chest seized.
After that, his words made her mind, heart and soul unconsciously relax, as did her body, melting into his.
His arms stole around her and he kissed her softly.
It was one of the sweetest kisses she’d ever received (and all of the others had been from Prentice too).
When their mouths disengaged, she murmured, “Pren.”
His voice was soft in that way that did funny things to her when he said, “Thank you, baby, for taking care of Jace.”
“I…um…” she stammered and then said stupidly, “You’re welcome.”
He grinned right before he touched her mouth with his again and pulled away.
Sliding his arm around her shoulders, he led her to the door saying, “I’m f**king starved. I’ll help with dinner.”
Isabella was having difficulty keeping up.
Even so, she didn’t think that was such a good thing. Evidence was suggesting that Prentice wasn’t so hot in the kitchen. But she was too shaken by recent events to protest.
Prentice opened the doors and they walked out to Jason declaring loudly, “You know, you two can snog in the kitchen. It’ll be sick but we’ll get used to it.”
Isabella’s eyes jerked to Jason and she tripped over her own feet.
Sally giggled.
Prentice drawled in a voice filled with amused sarcasm, “Thanks for your permission, mate.”
It was at that Isabella’s eyes shifted to Prentice who didn’t remonstrate his son nor did he explain that they weren’t in the study snogging (well, not exactly).
“Just being real,” Jason replied drolly.
“Oh my God, someone shoot me,” Isabella muttered out loud before she could stop herself.
Jason threw her a playful grin.
Prentice gave her a squeeze when they hit the kitchen right before he let her go.
Then he asked, “I don’t know. Can you still make cheeseburgers suffering from bullet wounds? Maybe we’ll shoot you after you make dinner.”
Jason burst out laughing.
Sally cried on a giggle, “Daddy! Stop being funny!”
It was too much. Isabella decided to ignore it all, cook dinner and then throw herself over a cliff.
She didn’t get the chance.
She cooked dinner, Prentice manning the deep fat fryer with expertise (thankfully), they ate it and she and Prentice barely finished the dishes when the doorbell rang.